GALLERY: Cemetery tells story of long gone Hardin Co. town

Cassie Smit, Beaumont Enterprise

By Cassie Smith

Published 6:14 pm, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin...

Located two miles west of Kountze near U.S. 326, Old Hardin Cemetery was donated to the public Nov. 17, 1904. The first burial was Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Murphy and Elizabeth Taylor. She died on Sept. 17, 1872.
Photo: Cassie Smith

While newer tombstones grace the backside of the cemetery, names and dates on stones marking original burial sites have long since begun to erode. Some of the markers list only a person's name and one just goes by, "Infant."

The city of Old Hardin didn't survive when the county's courthouse was moved from its center to Kountze.